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Summer Program
The Summer Program is a vital part of the Upward Bound experience. It is an intensive, six-week, residential program, which all members of the Upward Bound community are expected to attend. It starts at the end of June and finishes in early August. During this time the students spend their weekdays on the Keene State College campus and return home for the weekends. The Summer Program itself is very scheduled, and is geared to create a sense of community. See what Excursion Weekend is all about.
A typical day (subject to change)
- 8:00-8:30 Breakfast
- 8:30-12:45 Classes and M&M
- 12:45-1:15 Lunch
- 1:15-4:30 Afternoon Activities
- 4:30-6:30 Free Time
- 6:30-7:15 Dinner
- 7:15-9:50 Evening Activities
- 9:50-10:30 Community Time In & Around the Dorm
- 10:30-10:45 On Floor
- 10:45 In Rooms
Classes
Upward Bound offers its students classes in mathematics, performing arts, physics, chemistry, environmental science, composition, literature, computer science, social issues, foreign languages and cultures, and PSAT preparation. Independent studies can also be proposed by individual students and approved and supervised by staff. The class schedule is divided into three 70 minute periods.
Students are evaluated throughout the summer program and must maintain an overall average of 75% or better in order to be able to remain in the program. Students are evaluated on performance objectives in each class. Each objective is evaluated on the following scale: ME= mastered with excellence, M=mastered, HM=half mastered, MR=mastered on retake, NM=not mastered, N/A=not applicable.
M&M
M&M, short for Movement and More, is between the second and third class periods for twenty minutes each day and all staff and students attend. The "M's" alternate between days. For movement we dance around following instructions from the leader, which include stretches, jumping, and sliding. More varies from day to day, including such activities as meditation, guided dreams, storytelling, cooperative games, etc. Both components are open to leadership from staff and students.
Community Meeting
Community Meetings are a way to bring any problems or other announcements to the community. Meetings are held every Tuesday and Thursday for one hour. Classes or electives can make oral presentations to the community during this time. Elections for the Governing Board take place at a community meeting. Occasionally, the community will sing a few songs to get the meeting started.
Community Service
Community service sites encompass local businesses or offices around Keene. Students perform needed community service two hours a day, three times a week. Sites include the Cheshire Medical Center, Keene Day Care, Keene Montesorri, American Red Cross, HCS, RISE, KSC Newman Center, Salvation Army, Harborside, Cedarcrest, Community Kitchen, Women Crisis Services, STSS, KSC Campus Ministry, Ashuelot Park, and the UB student newspaper.
SPA
SPA (Social/Physical Activity) is held twice a week. Students choose from a variety of activities offered by the live-in staff. SPA gives students a safe place to participate in physical activities without worrying about ability. SPA varies from walking and hacky-sack to ultimate frisbee and volleyball.
Bridge Activity
Bridge members plan activities in small groups while the whole Bridge help run it. Each week has a different activity. The activities can range from a campuswide scavenger-hunt to role-playing exercises. This time allows Bridge members to experience responsibility and leadership.
Electives
Electives are ways for students to study subjects that they might not be able to study in high school, but may pursue in college. Electives are not graded but they are evaluated and attendance is mandatory. Electives offered by live-in staff have included puppetry, Latin America, creative writin, drawing, digital film, and politicking.
APT
APT (Academic/Personal Time) is a time set aside for students to do homework, meet with tutors, retake quizzes or tests, or serve RAT (required academic time). Students are not required to do academic work during APT, but are required to submit homework assignments in classes. It is the student's responsibility to manage their time wisely.
Group
Group consists of two staff members and about eight to ten students (depending on community size) that get together each week to discuss personal problems, problems at home, good things, or play group games. It's a way to build social skills and let off steam.
Wednesday Night Activities
There are usually four or five Wednesday Night Activities. After they are announced at the Tuesday community meeting, students sign up for the activity of their choice. It's a fun thing to do when the middle of the week rolls around. Examples of Wednesday Night Activities include a weekly sport (volleyball, wiffle ball, soccer), additional APT, movies, swimming, boardgames, evening hikes, and the play by the Performing Arts class.
Sunday Night Live
After going home for the weekend, students return Sunday night for a community event called Sunday Night Live. Every week it is something different but it always has something new for students to experience. Some examples of Sunday Night Live are College Night, Multicultural Night, Talent Show, and a live band.
Co-ed Floor Visitation
Sunday and Wednesday nights, during community time, Keene State UBers are allowed where few UBers have gone before--onto the floor of the opposite sex. Up until the summer of 1996, students were only allowed on the other floor on the first and last days of the program. In 1997, co-ed floor visitation was increased from one to two days every week - a great example of student government in action.
We've Got Issues
We've Got Issues is a 70-minute block each week wherein social, cultural and personal issues are presented to students as a whole, then in smaller group settings discussions follow the presentation. Topics and discussions are geared toward issues that are important to teens, first-generation college students, and to youth in general. Past topics have included Racism, Gender Issues, Sexual Orientation, Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Anger Management, Wellness and Social Class Issues.
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Summer Program